Dry winter prompts drought fears

With impeccable timing, it rained across much of England and Wales yesterday just as the Environment Agency announced that most regions were experiencing the third driest winter since records began and urged people not to waste water.

The agency said March could become the fifth consecutive month of below-average rainfall in all areas apart from the north-west and East Anglia, where rainfall was slightly above average in February. Overall, however, England and Wales have received only 75% of their expected rainfall this winter.

River levels are well below the long-term average for this time of year, particularly in southern England, where less than half of the monthly average rainfall has been recorded in many parts.

The water companies also point out that underground reserves are being recharged at well below the average rates.

The Thames region, which wants a major new reservoir and a desalination plant to cope with soaring household demand and a rising population, is the most most severely affected, with under half the usual rainfall since November.

A Thames Water spokesman said yesterday that the company was concerned. "Winter rainfall is the key because it replenishes underground supplies. But local boreholes are at just 50% of their usual levels. Just 133mm [5.24in] of rain has fallen in the Thames region in more than four months."

Southern Water, which supplies 2.2 million people in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said yesterday that one of its large reservoirs was only 56% full, compared with the usual 97% for mid-March. The company said it would not consider restrictions until the end of April.

Sutton and East Surrey Water is expected to be the first to impose a sprinkler ban.

Mike Hegarty, operations director for the firm, said: "It is beginning to look increasingly likely that we will have to bring in water restrictions in the very near future. In February, total rainfall in our supply area was 33mm. The long-term average is 55mm."

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the south-east had both the highest population densities and the lowest rainfall.

The driest previous winters were 129mm of water in 1908-09, and 102mm in 1933-34.

Water companies say part of the problem is that people use far more water now than 20 years ago. In the London area, average consumption has risen from 140 litres a day in the 1980s to 163 litres.

"Its only prudent to start thinking about what may happen later on this year [if the rains continue not to fall]. We are asking people to start thinking now about using water wisely," said a Thames Water spokesman.

Water shortages could become more frequent in the south and east over the next two decades as climate change develops and the population rises by at least 1m households.